A new white paper from Zoetis has identified three areas where the veterinary profession needs to make systemic changes in order to tackle the retention crisis, at a time when 48% of UK veterinary surgeons have considered leaving the field, and 75% of vets in the UK have taken time off work at least once in the last year due to work-related mental health issues.

Zoetis says that the problem appears not to be an endemic wellbeing issue for which the answer might be to develop greater individual resilience, but rather it is a symptom of the working environment itself, fuelled by structural, cultural and economic factors. 

This, the company argues, means that concentrating on individual resilience may be misguided, and a new approach is needed, one that addresses the environmental factors at play. 

The white paper identifies three areas for change: 

Firstly, a complete reimagining of the veterinary workplace with more flexible and sustainable working models. 

This includes considering more flexible work rotas, using technology to ease workloads, and enhancing the supporting role of veterinary nurses.

Indeed the most important factor in improving workplace wellbeing and professional satisfaction, cited by 27% of vets, was to better train veterinary nurses to take on more responsibility. 

Secondly, finding ways to adapt to meet growing and varied client needs. 

The white paper recommends enhancing communication training, adopting technology for better client management, and offering more support for vets when managing emotionally challenging conversations with clients.

Finally, the paper calls for a rethink over how vets are selected for in the first place.

Currently, the profession draws from a pool of 96% white, 29% fee-paying females who are not representative of the people they serve.

Greater diversity in the profession, Zoetis says, delivers social benefits, strategic advantages and workplaces with broader perspectives and greater psychological safety.

Stephanie Armstrong, Regional President at Zoetis, said: “Addressing retention in the veterinary field requires looking beyond individual well-being to systemic factors.

"By fostering better work environments and providing support, we can help ensure that veterinarians continue to provide vital services to our communities.” 

Zoetis is urging stakeholders across the veterinary and animal health sector to review the white paper’s insights and join a collective effort to implement solutions. 

https://www2.zoetis.co.uk/about-zoetis/news-media/knowledge-hub/transforming-veterinary-practice-for-the-21st-century 

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